Most people do not perceive animals as creatures weighed down with intelligence. Obviously, our smaller brothers are not really capable of exhibiting the computational and meta-cognitive abilities of the human mind. However, some species of animals do surprise scientists with their intellectual skills. Who knows, maybe someday these species will evolve into a higher form of life.
Sea lions
Research has shown that sea lions have the ability to think logically. In fact, these amazing creatures are able to draw rather complex parallels, like a = b and b = c, then a = c.
Baboons
The cognitive ability of baboons is very similar to that of chimpanzees. In addition, unlike other animals, baboons can even cope with stress.
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Sheeps
Do not think of sheep as stupid: these animals are capable of displaying a wide range of emotions and react very quickly to changing environments. In addition, it is sheep that have the best memory among all animals.
Raccoons
Scientists give the main prize for resourcefulness to cute raccoons. They know how to build complex social connections and easily master new tools for solving specific problems.
Rats
Kings of adaptation and very good memories. Of course, we treat these unpleasant animals with a certain amount of disdain, but you shouldn't underestimate their mental abilities either.
Cats
Cats are far from being as trainable as dogs, but only because they prefer to choose their own vector of development. Cat owners are well aware of what their pets are capable of in order to achieve their desired goal.
Chipmunks
Don't be surprised, but those little balls of fur that can't get out of the way of your wheelchair in time are pretty smart too. It's just that all their intelligence is sharpened only for solving one problem: storing food. When it comes to food, it's hard to imagine a better castellan than a chipmunk.
Elephants
These animals use their brains to create and process complex social interactions. Elephants are acknowledged to have the best memory of all animals and are even capable of showing some empathy.
Dogs
Although IQ varies by breed, in general, dogs are orders of magnitude smarter than other animals. Most dog breeds, such as Labradors and Border Collies, are very curious and quickly notice the slightest change in their environment. In addition, the level of emotional intelligence that makes them human best friends should be considered.
Chimpanzee
And the monkey closes our list again. Chimpanzees are capable of not only using tools to help the entire community, but also exhibiting enviable skills in manipulating others. By and large, chimpanzees are considered the smartest animals on the planet.